sparkyRN

sparkyRN

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All Content by sparkyRN

  1. Length of shifts

    sparkyRN replied to DarbyD's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    That all depends on how your unit or floor does scheduling. If you self-schedule, then it's up to you how you set up your days. Of course balanced staffing is the priority for the NM and there's no...

  2. Lab support/blood glucose?

    sparkyRN replied to NoCrumping's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Nurses in our unit draw all labs (ABG, lytes, gluc. nutr. profile, CBC, CRP, blood cx etc.) if the baby has a UAC or art line. If not and the baby needs an ABG or septic workup or any blood sample...

  3. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We occasionally will have a nursing student as an extern. She will be assigned to help with feedings and baths, stocking the supply cabinet, answering the phone and setting up admit beds. However,...

  4. Do you carry a clipboard

    sparkyRN replied to luvdancink's topic in General Nursing

    I use a spiral notepad that fits in my pocket. The sheets go in the shredder at the end of my

  5. Length of shifts

    sparkyRN replied to DarbyD's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    We do the same as

  6. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Here's hoping I'm in ICU tomorrow...I'll take 4 of them to 8 feeder-growers any

  7. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Just like you said--you start early, finish late, do the essentials, double-check yourself along the way and pray. I had 8 babies Sunday night. They try to assign an assortment so no one has 8 PO...

  8. Breastfeeding questions

    sparkyRN replied to t2000JC's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Once breast milk is thawed it is good refrigerated for 24 hours. It should be warmed by a warm water bath only. If it is poured into a bottle for a feeding, but not all is consumed, the remainder...

  9. Need Input from the Pros

    sparkyRN replied to StressedDad2Be's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Your baby absolutely can hear you and respond! Remember the thickness of mom's belly-skin, fat, muscle, uterine wall-- is not much at all (...of course, depending on her size.) And while baby is...

  10. Length of shifts

    sparkyRN replied to DarbyD's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    When it comes to parttime, 12 hour shifts can't be beat. We have to work 20 or 24hrs/week to be parttime and earn benefits. Most of our PT need to work 24 hours. 2 12's beat 3 8's any

  11. Prone Positioning in the NICU

    sparkyRN replied to nurse_leeny's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Leeny, We would not position an infant with a UAC &/or UVC prone. In our case, the babies are not stable enough and need to be supine for better cardio-resp and femoral/pedal pulse assessment....

  12. Breastfeeding questions

    sparkyRN replied to t2000JC's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    In a term or near term baby I have not seen nipple confusion be a problem during the first 2-4 weeks of life. A premie who starts with OG feedings then bottle feedings may have a harder time latching...

  13. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We are not unionized. There is really no recourse when we are slammed with high census and acuity. You can't and wouldn't want to refuse an assignment--that would be abandonment. Everyone is great...

  14. Various R/T Roles??

    sparkyRN replied to NoCrumping's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    It's just like anything else you do...the more often you do it the easier it is to do and the quicker you can get it done. Nearly every shift I work in ICU, I either have to setup a vent for an admit...

  15. What do you think is a fair salary for nurses?

    sparkyRN replied to Sweetpea00's topic in General Nursing

    Of course where you live and who you work for plays a roll when you talk adequate salary. For the Southeast in an urban area, starting out at a hospital at $40K is reasonable amt. Experience should...

  16. Various R/T Roles??

    sparkyRN replied to NoCrumping's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    rts? you get to have rts? we hear that in the not too distant future we'll have an (as in 1) rt in the unit around the clock. of course, we've been hearing this for awhile. i guess they will...

  17. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I try not to be too jealous, but it's hard! I probably would have baled out by now if I didn't love this job so much. I have some great co-workers plus a lot of seniority and PTO that I'd lose going...

  18. Prone Positioning in the NICU

    sparkyRN replied to nurse_leeny's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    What is fluff? Where do you get

  19. Negative Work Environment, HELP!

    sparkyRN replied to nurseamena's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Glad you are going to give the place a chance. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I was surprised a couple of months ago when I began to work some day shifts after doing strictly...

  20. Lab results reporting

    sparkyRN replied to catlover314's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    The lab in our unit runs all ABGs, drug levels, and serum labs-electrolytes, gluc, Na, K, etc. The med tech walks back a hard copy to the bedside for all our lab before it is even ready in the...

  21. Preemie/NICU-isms

    sparkyRN replied to mermom's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Ok, I've got a couple that aren't parent friendly either but... A 500 grammer on room air all flexed up in his blanket rolls is a "chicken wing." A VAD or V-P shunt is a

  22. What happens in your NICU when you are short staffed?

    sparkyRN replied to sparkyRN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Thanks for your input. I'll pass these suggestions along to my NM. However, It is an up hill battle to get admin to cut loose of any money. A couple of years ago we faced this same situation and...

  23. Need Input from the Pros

    sparkyRN replied to StressedDad2Be's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Dear Dad, Thank you for sharing your progress with us. The nurses on this thread have given you excellent support and advice as have your doctors and caregivers. I'm a 20 year NICU vet and there's...

  24. Prone Positioning in the NICU

    sparkyRN replied to nurse_leeny's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    As far as concerns when postioning a baby prone, there are a few. Most premies prefer the prone position, but not all. There are those that get *too* comfortable and my have an increase in...

  25. Closed suction systems

    sparkyRN replied to iceNICUnurse's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    They're growing on me too. When we first tried them 10 or so years ago they just didn't seem to work very well. I believe we also use Ballard now, BUT we are limited to using them on the fragile...